U.S. patent application number 11/154736 was filed with the patent office on 2006-12-21 for multifunctional card reader.
This patent application is currently assigned to XAC AUTOMATION CORP.. Invention is credited to Hui-Lin Kuo.
Application Number | 20060283940 11/154736 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37430680 |
Filed Date | 2006-12-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060283940 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kuo; Hui-Lin |
December 21, 2006 |
Multifunctional card reader
Abstract
The present invention discloses a multifunctional card reader,
which is operated with a PIN-pad by a user, to offer a total
self-service to the user. The multifunctional card reader comprises
a holding portion, a first sensing device and a plurality of
indicators. The holding portion holds the PIN-pad when the PIN-pad
is not used. The first sensing device senses a payment card by a
contactless technique and receives the account information stored
on the payment card. The indicators inform the user of verification
of account information.
Inventors: |
Kuo; Hui-Lin; (Taichung
City, TW) |
Correspondence
Address: |
OLIFF & BERRIDGE, PLC
P.O. BOX 19928
ALEXANDRIA
VA
22320
US
|
Assignee: |
XAC AUTOMATION CORP.
Hsinchu
TW
|
Family ID: |
37430680 |
Appl. No.: |
11/154736 |
Filed: |
June 17, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
235/383 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07F 7/0893 20130101;
G06Q 20/20 20130101; G07G 1/0018 20130101; G06Q 20/352 20130101;
G06Q 20/327 20130101; G07F 7/10 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
235/383 |
International
Class: |
G06K 15/00 20060101
G06K015/00 |
Claims
1. A multifunctional card reader used for point-of-sale and
operated with a PIN-pad and by a user to offer a total
self-service, comprising: a holding portion used for holding the
PIN-pad in place when the PIN-pad is not in use; a sensor employing
an RFID technique sensing a payment card and receiving account
information stored in the payment card; and wherein the PIN-pad is
detachable from the holding portion when the multifunctional card
reader receives a PIN-code from the PIN-pad, and the account
information is transferred by wire.
2. (canceled)
3. The multifunctional card reader of claim 1, further comprising a
sensor sensing the payment card with a magnetic stripe.
4. The multifunctional card reader of claim 1, further comprising a
sensor sensing the payment card with an IC chip.
5. (canceled)
6. The multifunctional card reader of claim 1, further comprising a
plurality of indicators informing the user of verifying the account
information when the sensor employing the RFID technique is
active.
7. The multifunctional card reader of claim 3, further comprising a
plurality of indicators informing the user of verifying the account
information when the sensor with a magnetic stripe is active.
8. The multifunctional card reader of claim 6, wherein one of the
indicators emits light or sound.
9. The multifunctional card reader of claim 7, wherein one of the
indicators emits light or sound.
10. The multifunctional card reader of claim 1, wherein the holding
portion having a hole holding the PIN-pad.
11. The multifunctional card reader of claim 3, further comprising
a sensor sensing the payment with an IC chip.
12. The multifunctional card reader of claim 11, further comprising
a plurality of indicators informing the user of verifying the
account information when the sensor employing the RFID technique is
active.
13. The multifunctional card reader of claim 12, wherein one of the
indicators emits light or sound.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a multifunctional card
reader operated with a PIN-pad and by a user, and more particularly
to a multifunctional card reader having a hole to hold the PIN-pad
in place and receiving different types of payment cards, which is
especially suitable for transactions at point-of-sale.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] Referring to FIG. 1, a point-of-sale (POS) terminal 1 is the
countertop device that is used to swipe payment cards, in doing so
converting the data held on the magnetic stripe into an electronic
format that can then be transmitted securely to the respective bank
for authentication and settlement. Typically the device has an
LCD/LED display 11 for prompting instructions, a numeric keyboard
12, a sensing device 13 for swiping the payment card, a receipt
printer 14 for printing receipts and a collection of ports 15 for
connecting the device to communication networks. For debit
transactions in the US and for EMV (Europay-MasterCard-Visa)
transactions throughout the rest of the world, the POS terminal 1
will be often connected to a numeric PIN-pad 2 by a cable 21, used
for the customers to enter their four digit identifiers, i.e.,
personal identification number (PIN). The POS terminals have
increasingly been deployed to perform debit card transactions in
which the amount of the transaction is directly debited to the
customer's bank account in an online transaction. Debit
transactions generally require the customer to enter a PIN code on
the PIN-pad 2 associated with the POS terminal 1. The PIN-pad 2 has
a small LCD/LED display 22 for prompting some instructions to the
customer and a small numeric keyboard 23 for keying in the PIN
code.
[0005] In general, the POS terminal 1 is placed at the counter
close to the clerk. At the time of payment, the customer gives the
payment card to the clerk, and the clerk swipes the payment card
and then the customer is required to input a PIN code on the
PIN-pad 2 that is located near the customer (e.g., at customer's
hand) to authenticate the transaction. During payment, the payment
card may be within or out of sight of the customer, depending on
the location of the POS terminal 1, but out of the customer's
possession. Another type of PIN-pad 2, referring to FIG. 2, is
developed, which keeps the payment within sight of the customer
during payment. The PIN-pad 2 provides a sensing device 13 (in the
form of the slot) for swiping the payment card. Moving the sensing
device 13 from the POS terminal 1 of FIG. 1 to the PIN-pad 2 of
FIG. 2 makes the customer feel comfortable and secure at the time
of payment, but enlarges the size of the PIN-pad 2 and complicates
the PIN-pad design. The PIN-pad 2 in FIG. 2 is similar to that in
FIG. 1 except a slot, which is the sensing device 13 for swiping
the payment card, is added.
[0006] To address security concerns and further develop electronic
business, a smart card has been introduced as a payment tool. The
smart card is a credit card sized device with electronic memory
(i.e., IC chip) used for a variety of applications. Transaction at
point-of-sale is one of these various applications. A tiny IC chip
is embedded into a debit or credit card and provides both highly
secure memory and complex processing capability. The IC chip holds
the same personal data as magnetic stripes in other card types (for
example, cardholder name, card number and expiry date). Another
sensing device, in a form of slot (not shown), is combined into the
PIN-pad 2 to accept the smart card and to receive the account
information stored thereon. Some PIN-pad products are available
with a smart card reader configured at the bottom of the PIN-pad 2.
Such a design of PIN-pad 2 makes the customer feel secure and
comfortable at the time of payment, but has the shortcomings of
large size and complexity of PIN-pad design.
[0007] In addition, there is an increasing demand for facilitating
the payment at point of sale, and thus a contactless payment tool
is required. RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) is a developing
technique used in payment transactions. RFID is a flexible
technology that is convenient, easy to use, and well suited for
automatic operation. It combines advantages not available with
other identification technologies. RFID can be supplied as
read-only or read/write, does not require contact or line-of-sight
to operate, can function under a variety of environmental
conditions, and provides a high level of data integrity. In
addition, because the technology is difficult to counterfeit, RFID
provides a high level of security. RFID is similar in concept to
bar coding. Bar code systems use a reader and coded labels that are
attached to an item, whereas RFID uses a reader (RFID reader) and
special RFID devices that are attached to the item. Bar code uses
optical signals to transfer information from the label to the
reader; RFID uses RF signals to transfer information from the RFID
device to the reader. Radio waves transfer data between an item to
which an RFID device is attached and an RFID reader. The device can
contain data about the item, such as what the item is, what time
the device traveled through a certain zone, perhaps even a
parameter such as temperature. RFID devices, such as a tag or
label, can be attached to virtually anything--from a vehicle to a
debit card.
[0008] When RFID technique is utilized in POS transaction, it is
not feasible to design the RFID reader on the PIN-pad 2. The most
important reason is that the area of the sensing device of the RFID
reader cannot be shrunk to fit in the PIN-pad 2 to sense the RFID
device effectively. Another reason is that combining the RFID
reader with the PIN-pad 2 will complicate the design of the PIN-pad
2. Consequently, the size of the combined PIN-pad 2 violates the
standards of handheld instruments and loses the benefits thereof.
To take advantage of RFID technique as a contactless payment, it is
necessary to locate the RFID reader properly to ensure effective
sensing.
[0009] The PIN-pad 2 in FIG. 2 is equipped with some kinds of
readers, such as a magnetic stripe reader and a smart card reader,
which is heavier than that with only one function of PIN code
input. There is usually not an appropriate room for the PIN-pad 2,
when not used. The PIN-pad 2 is placed just around the POS terminal
1 or somewhere else after it has been returned by the customer. The
PIN-pad 2 contains delicate internal instruments and is therefore
sensitive to shock due to careless impact. Therefore, it is
necessary to prepare space for the PIN-pad 2.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] The primary objective of the present invention is to provide
a multifunctional card reader, which is operated with a PIN-pad by
a user, to offer a fully self-service unit to the user. The
secondary objective of the present invention is to provide a
multifunctional card reader, which prepares space for the PIN-pad
when the PIN-pad is not used. Another objective of the present
invention is to provide a multifunctional card reader, which
combines different types of readers of payment cards, thereby
providing multiple-payment-choices to the user.
[0011] In order to achieve the objectives, the present invention
discloses a multifunctional card reader, which is operated with a
PIN-pad and by a user, comprising a holding portion holding the
PIN-pad, at least one sensing device sensing a payment card and
receiving the account information stored in the payment card. The
multifunctional card reader holding the PIN-pad functions as a
cradle for the PIN-pad. In embodiments, the multifunctional card
reader offers any combination of a magnetic stripe reader, a smart
card reader and a RFID reader.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] The invention will be described according to the appended
drawings in which:
[0013] FIG. 1 shows a Point-of-Sale terminal and a PIN-pad in prior
art;
[0014] FIG. 2 shows a PIN-pad with a sensing device for swiping a
magnetic stripe in prior art;
[0015] FIGS. 3(a)-(c) show the top plane view, the front view and
the right side view, respectively, of one embodiment of the present
invention of the multifunctional card reader;
[0016] FIG. 4 shows a PIN-pad held by the holding portion of one
embodiment of the present invention of the multifunctional card
reader; and
[0017] FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram of one embodiment of
the present invention of the multifunctional card reader.
PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
[0018] One embodiment of the present invention of the
multifunctional card reader is shown in FIG. 3(a)-(c), which
include a top plane view, a front view and a right side view of the
multifunctional card reader 3, respectively. The multifunctional
card reader 3 comprises a holding portion 34, a first sensing
device 31, a second sensing device 32, a third sensing device 33, a
plurality of indicators 34 and two connection ports 35. The holding
portion 34 having a hole 341 is a part of the multifunctional card
reader 3 to hold a PIN-pad (not shown) in place when the PIN-pad is
not used. The size and shape of the hole 341 is designed to fit the
PIN-pad. A thin wall 342 with a protrusion to attach to the inner
wall of the hole 341 is used to hold the PIN-pad firmly, and keeps
the PIN-pad from dropping when the clerk brings the multifunctional
card reader 3 and the PIN-pad as a whole to the customer for making
payment. The holding portion 34 provides a room for the PIN-pad and
firmly and safely keeps the PIN-pad in place, which makes the
customer feel respected when he/she receives the card reader 3 and
the PIN-pad as a whole. FIG. 4 shows a PIN-pad 2 sitting in the
hole 341 of the holding portion 34, referring to FIG. 3(a), of the
multifunctional card reader 3.
[0019] The first sensing device 31 is a RFID reader implemented by
a reader IC. The internal transmitter part of the first sensing
device 31 is able to drive an antenna designed for proximity
operating distance (up to 100 mm) directly without additional
active circuitry. The receiver part of the first sensing device 31
provides a robust and efficient implementation of a demodulation
and decoding circuitry for signals from ISO1443 compatible
transponder. The first sensing device 31 provides a contactless way
for transactions by payment cards with a RFID device (RFID tag). In
one embodiment, the first sensing device is a MasterCard.RTM.
PayPass.TM. reader.
[0020] The second sensing device 32 is a MSR (Magnetic Stripe
Reader) implemented by a MSR circuitry to sense the payment card
with a magnetic stripe. The payment card may be a debit card, a
credit card and any payment card with the magnetic stripe storing
account information. The third sensing device 33 is an SCR (smart
card reader) implemented by SCR circuitry. A plurality of
indicators 34 informs the user, by light or sound, of verification
of the account information stored in the payment card. The number
of the indictors 34 is not limited to four as shown in FIG. 3(a).
One of the two connection ports 35 is connected to the Host and the
other is connected to the PIN-pad.
[0021] The layout of the first sensing device 31, the second
sensing device 32, the third sensing device 33, the indicators and
the holding portion 34 is not limited to that in FIG. 3(a)-(c). Any
combination of an RFID reader, a MSR and an SCR can be provided in
the multifunctional card reader 3.
[0022] FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram of one embodiment of
the present invention of the multifunctional card reader 3. One
payment flow is described as follows. When the user makes payment
with a payment card at point-of-sale, instructions issued from the
host (not shown) is passed to the main logic board 5 through the
host interface 6 and is displayed on the PIN-pad 2 through the
PIN-pad interface 7. The displayed message includes the amount of
expense and the prompt requesting for a PIN code. After taking a
look at the displayed message, the user can pick up the PIN-pad 2
and chooses a proper payment card to pay. After any payment action
has been taken, in which the user swipes a smart card, a credit
card, a debit card or an RFID contactless card, the corresponding
circuitry (RFIC circuitry 8, MSR circuitry 9 or SCR circuitry 10)
receives the account information stored in the payment card and
passes it to the bank through the main logic board 5 and the host
interface 6. The PIN code of the users is requested through the
PIN-pad 2 to authorize the transaction. When matching of the
account information and the PIN code is verified, sound and/or
light are emitted from the indicators 34 to inform the user the
transaction is completed. When a non-matching failure occurs, a
different sound and/or different light are emitted and an error
message is shown in the small LCD/LEC display 22 (refer to FIG.
1).
[0023] Each operation of the user, such as picking up the PIN-pad 2
from the multifunctional card reader 3, swiping the payment card,
keying in the PIN code on the small numeric keyboard 23 of the
PIN-pad 2 (refer to FIG. 1), replacing the PIN-pad 2 to the
multifunctional card reader 3, is within sight of the user and thus
security and the feeling of the user are both improved. After the
payment is completed, the multifunctional card reader 3 and the
PIN-pad 2 are ready to serve the next user.
[0024] The above-described embodiments of the present invention are
intended to be illustrative only. Numerous alternative embodiments
may be devised by persons skilled in the art without departing from
the scope of the following claims.
* * * * *